ATLANTA – For the second straight week, Grand Valley State is the top team in the MCLA Division II New Balance Weekly Coaches Poll and the Lakers grip on the top spot continues to get tighter.

GVSU (13-0) picked up three more first-place votes this week to build its total to 21, leaving the Lakers well clear of the field. Grand Valley has a bye into the semifinals of the UMLC tournament that takes place this weekend in Rockford, Ill.

Air Force (7-0) remains in the No. 2 slot, gobbling up the remaining six top ballots. The Falcons conclude their regular season with a pair of conference home games.

Rhode Island (9-1) sits tight at No. 3 after dispatching No. 18 Bridgewater State (9-2) in a CLC throwdown. St. Thomas (12-2), which was tied for third with the Rams last week, dips to No. 4.

Montana State (13-1) rounds out the Top 5. The Bobcats have a big matchup Saturday with No. 16 Denver (7-1) in a neutral site game at Sheridan, Wyo.

Appalachian State dipped out of the poll this week to make way for the reemergence of No. 24 Loyola Marymount (10-2).

MCLA D-II New Balance Coaches Poll – Week 9

Others receiving votes: Appalachian State (24), Florida Gulf Coast (23), UNC-Wilmington (21), Miami (6), Tampa (6), William & Mary (2), Georgia Southern (1), Tulane (1), UC Davis (1), UC Santa Cruz (1).2